Is it CJ’s time? Or should Astros deal?

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Is it Chris Johnson’s time? The door opened for one of the better power-hitting prospects in the organization on Wednesday when Aaron Boone announced that he would miss the ’09 season.

So should the Astros fast forward to the future and put Johnson at the hot corner right out of the gate? Or should they answer the phone and make a stop gap trade that would allow Johnson to mature naturally at Triple A Round Rock this season?

Whether or not you agree, many have questioned the handling of then-top prospect Chris Burke, but let’s don’t debate that again. Then, last year, the Astros pushed catcher J.R. Towles, virtually leaping AAA to get to the big club with limited minor league at bats.

Now the Astros have another decision, this time on Johnson. He’s the fifth best prospect in the organization according to Baseball America, which also lists the 24-year-old as the best power hitter and the best infield arm for Houston.

Just like Towles, Johnson has only a handful of at bats at AAA (101) with limited success at that level (.218/1/9). But he tore up AA Corpus Christi in his first 330 at bats of ’08, finishing there at .324/12/58 before his promotion to Round Rock.

One thing is for certain: If he begins the season in Houston, he should be the starter and Geoff Blum should serve in his more appropriate role of Super Sub. No Top 10 prospect should languish on the bench with the big club.

After starting out on fire this spring, Johnson has cooled as more teams begin to settle into their normal pitching options. He’s hitting .231 with a HR and 6 RBI. He has as many strikeouts (6) as hits and has walked only once.

Ed Wade and Cecil Cooper say Johnson and Blum will get all the at bats at third the rest of the spring to allow them to prove their value. Wade believes there will be other options at the end of spring training if necessary, so he doesn’t feel pressed to jump into a quick deal.

At this point — note, I say at this point – it appears Johnson should join Towles, Sutton, Paulino, Bogusevic et al at Round Rock where they can groom and nurture outside the spotlight. Indeed, the next couple of weeks will tell that tale.

* Mike Pelfrey looked razor sharp and threw six strong innings. Then again, when you face the “swing at the first pitch” Astros, you don’t burn out your arm.

* Johnson looked good. Couple of hits, played great D, got an error on a play where he caught an impossible tweener hop and the first baseman (Gall, an OF out of position) couldn’t catch the throw on a stretch.

* Bogu got four pitches in the same spot, all 89 MPH, missed 1, 2 and 4, fouled #3. Uh-oh.

* If Reggie Abercrombie continues to get jammed by anything on the inside of the plate he is never going to get to use his other skills. He’s a very good outfielder and a fast baserunner. Where are our hitting coaches?

* De La Vara has some nice stuff, but when he doesn’t get the call he stays in that post-pitch position an extra second. Umps don’t like that. It may cost him a roster spot.

* I apologize for any bad stuff I said about pre-Astro Erstad. He’s far from the most talented guy out there and he’s no spring chicken, but you can tell he has a big heart. He’d have to bat about .010 to not be on my team.

* Matsui eventually hit the ball hard twice (for outs – he’s something like 2 for 40!) but he also missed or fouled a lot of hittable pitches. He looks lost.

* The Mets were parading a bunch of hitters and pitchers out there that were far from names but looked WAY better than most of our guys. I don’t know who Nick Evans is, but he’s 23 and killed us. So did Reyes.

* Nieve got an inning against us. His control was off but he was throwing 94-96, which is lot faster than just about anyone on our staff.

* Wesley Wright is now “Spiderman”.

* Cooper looked like he had just eaten a bowl of Tums and was hoping they’d kick in.

* When the best news your team gets all day is that your the Federal Prosecutor recommended probation, not jail time, for your shortstop…well, I guess that’s good enough for today.

HISTORY LESSON No. 2 — Carlos Beltran. (see Boras, Scott). Beltran held himself out to the highest bidder and used the Astros to keep the bidding going. The hayseed mgt. in Houston was snookered by Boras (Purpura vs. Boras = the greatest mismatch since Rocky took on Apollo Creed.)

For some reason all the Houston folk called Boras the devil ever since. But Boras seems to do a good job for his clients, as he should.

Wow – today’s game was so bad that Footer posted old photos instead of talking about it. (There are some great shots – check it out)

Seriously, I know why she did it ad am glad she shared some of them (and plans to in the future). But I have to say that I am really disappointed with her blog this Spring – I expected that as the beat reporter we’d get insight, interviews, learn more about the new players and maybe even get some perspective from them through her. Instead…vanilla pudding.

Don’t worry, I’m emailing her directly and including the above, this isn’t a behind-her-back snipe.

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Here’s a theory – do the Astro players spend so much time on the golf course that they think the lower score wins?

angry, making faces ect… I’m so over this guy it ain’t real. If he goes on the DL the start of the season….GOOD! Let Ortiz and Cappeon (spelling) take his and Backe’s place in the rotation. At least we won’t have to watch a grown man throw a temper tantrum on the field. Grrrrrrr

Yathink the Mets would give us David Wright and let us have Carlos Beltran and Fernando Nieve back for a sweet package consisting of JR, Wandy, Bourn, and a U-Haul filled with all your Willy Taveras memorabilia?

I mean, hey, the original residents of NY sold Manhattan Island for $16.00 worth of beads and trinkets, didn’t they?

Wow Chip…. The Astros spring training winning record is 1 win… 1 win, and almost every game is a blow out. Is this a strategy, or is this team trying set a record for spring training..? So my question is ( Is this the worst spring a team has ever had?) It’s beginning to be comical at my work place. Everyone knows Im a big fan of the home team, and they are dogging me. I know it’s spring training, but Im taking some heat over here. Our home 9 looks like a big wet steamy pile of dogsh&t with a baseball stuck in it.

I’m sure a lot of GMs would trade us a top flight third baseman for some of our excellent young talent.

In exchange for this great 3rd baseman, Wade can give up:

Towles (Johnny Bench of the 21st century);

Wandy (a solid lefty, capable of being #2 starter);

Michael Bourn (destined to be the greatest Astro centerfielder since Cesar Cedeno).

It would be painful to let go of these three, especially Bourn. (But just think, Mr. Wade, moving Bourn out of town will distance you from the constant embarrassment of giving up Lidge for Bourn in your hasty and most tragic transaction. With Bourn being an everyday player at MMP, your job security will be in an ugly spotlight.)

Am I ready for CJ to start every day with the Astros? Yes, I am ready but is CJ ready? I think it simply depends on what he does over the next few weeks. I am not at spring training and watching the intricate details of his at bats, but if I were forcced to put a benchmark on it I would say that if he finishes spring batting anywhere north of .275 then I go with the risky move and use him as my opening day third sacker. Now, I agree with those that say he should be starting on a regular basis. However, we need to remember that he has not done that well historically with change in the middle of a season. So, I would not expect him to do well with a mid-season call up. If I did give him a chance to be the starter, I would put a very short leash on him though. I would also already have a very short leash on Michael Bourn. Remember, we have 7 positions that are OK, it is really only 2 positions that are questionable; third base and center field. I would be OK with taking a risk at two positions.

Chip… you’re correct about CJ playing every day. He needs at-bats. If he’s truly got major league potential, a couple of months at Round Rock won’t hurt. Since the Astros had no intention of keeping him on the big club in April, then Boone’s situation shouldn’t change that. In other words, if they didn’t think he was ready to face major league pitching on Tuesday, the day before the Boone announcement, why would he be ready on Thursday? I don’t know what trades might be available. Maybe Blum gets more playing time than originally planned. I just don’t want to see the Astros do something stupid with one of their few real prospects.

The idea of Tejada 3B, Matsui SS and Sutton at 2nd sounds interesting if the team cannot reconcile the 3B spot with Johnson now. Nothing wrong with a little shakeup !. What are the odds that the IF looks the same way next year anyway.

I’m with Peanut Gallery… to heck with these inherently weak hitting infielders. It is one thing if you expect a player to hit..and he ends up not doing so. It is quite another to just forgo offense completely at the outset with Everett like players.

I say unless you can get a third baseman off of waivers from a last cut, go with Chris Johnson and let him try. You can always have Blum their too. Also have Manz. Bring him up if CJ falters and move miggy to third!

Just give him a chance!

Unless someone is waived.

Do not trade anything, we need everything we have in the minors Plus some.

“…I am one (the only one I think) who is happy with the way Ed Wade has handled the team….”

No you’re not the only one Flash – count me in too…

“…All I know for sure at this point is that whatever decision is made somebody in our little blogosphere will quickly sit in their comfortable arm chair and call it “mismanagement”…”

Ha! – but Mr. Bill – that’s what we get “paid” the “big bucks” for…

To “blindly” chime in Chip – as the only time I’ve – “seen” – the guys play this year – was the play-by-play provided by Mr. Holmes a few topics back.

BTW – BH – the golden voice of baseball – Curt Gowdy – was smiling that day (lol). But I’d sure like to see the “next” Bagwell come up through the system….be that Johnson or whomever…I’m ready.

And speaking of Bagwell – he didn’t exactly “tear it up” during his first show. Some can handle the “mental” which is just as important as the gift. And really – we will never know…until any of them are given the chance.

Whether one agrees with the moves made to date by Wade….no one can question his willingness to pull the trigger. I for one happen to like what he’s done – and I’m “still” looking and waiting for more. And anything he does (I-Rod) which improves the team – without costing the farm…I will continue to support.

And – “it appears to me” – Wade and company are slowly but surely restocking the farm with some decent talent….which is refreshing….but then again…..I’ll need to “continue” to tune in to….the Bill Holmes Hour…

Outside of 84 impressive games at AA last year, Johnson has done nothing in any level of pro ball indicating a readiness to take over third base for the big club. Some of the same people blaming the club for “mishandling” Towles by handing him the catchers job last year are clamoring for Johnson to get the nod. What’s the difference?

Brandon – is McPherson out of options (I don’t know) – if he’s not, there is no cheap way that FL will trade him, their situation at 3B is fluid at best right now. If he’s out of options, then he’s likely gettable (closer to April 1) for a relatively low cost (player-wise). If he has options, FL will not trade him unless they get significantly better return – which means the Astros should NOT do the deal! Good thought though since ‘out of options’ guys is likely what Wade is looking for. The problem with it would be that if McPherson had an average season (as opposed to outstanding) he’s complicating the issue for 2010 – of course you could always trade him for pitching.

Does COL need Atkins and Stewart? Likely not – both are good 3B, but Atkins has the Coors effect and costs a lot (more than Wigs would have – so no deal) and Stewart has to be kept around for when the trade Atkins at the dead-line…

I’m really hoping the Astros can pull off some sort of deal for someone good (not great) to cover 3B for a year. Blum can cover it, but he’s decent not good.

All the young guys you listed need more experience in minors. If nothing else, just to see it they can hit AAA pitching and whether they should be put in a position to try MLB pitching. And heck, it would be nice to see our AAA team filled w/ prospects (even marginal ones) rather that a bunch of AAAA players who have no hope of ever making the bigs.

At this point, Chris Johnson has cooled off. I wouldn’t put him on the big league roster unless he improves his hitting considerably before the end of spring. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sutton is a better option at 3d base right now, but the Astros have moved him to the minor league camp. The Astros should determine whether Saccomano’s defense is acceptable enough to allow him to platoon at 3d base.

In the end, I think the Astros should wait to pick up someone who is cut or make a minor trade for someone who is about to be cut. Loretta could become available, and that might be the best case option.

Agree with Bill. I don’t want to see another Boone “type”. However, I do not want to see Newhan either. He is simply a journeyman.

Blum is certainly not an every day answer and is clearly better suited as a super sub.

The Astros do not have anything to trade for a proven third baseman and there are no quality 3rd base FA options left. So, at this point they should give Johnson a chance.

The other option of course, is to move Tejada to third, but then who would play SS? The trade and FA front are the same for SS as for 3rd, so no good options there. That leaves internal candidates. Manzella would be a leading candidate for SS due to his defensive skills, but the Astros don’t need to go back to the Everett days with a strong defender and no hitting SS – especially in the NL with the pitchers spot. Quite frankly, it appears that Manzella may even be a worse hitter than Everett.

It looks like Smith is going to make the cut and the Astros were already leaning towards him due to his SS skills. He is probably not an every day SS option though.

Although I have heard no talk of it, Matsui did play SS at one time. Seeing that Sutton is more of a second baseman, might this be an option?

The short of it is that I for one want to see some offense come out of 3rd, short, and 2nd. I don’t want to see any light hitting stellar defenders. I want to see more balance than that as you simply cannot have a light hitter in the lineup in the NL along with the pitchers spot. I also do not want to see any platoons with Blum, Manzella, or Newhan. Blum is a bench player, Newhan is a journey man, and Manzella simply does not have the bat to play at the MLB level.

So, give Johnson a chance. If he does struggle too much for a couple of months, then send him to RR and have Tejada as the backout plan for third. Consider Matsui for short and Sutton for 2nd. Blum and Smith could get a few starts sprinkled in when Tejada and Matsui can play SS/2nd or take a day off.

Sadly, the Astros are much more likely to go the platoon route at third. As a backup, they might put Tejada there, but then they would use Manzella/Smith at SS – not a good every day option. They need to be a bit more creative if they are going to come up with a balanced approach – which is more important in the NL.

I’m all for letting CJ start. There is no gain in trading away more prospects that we don’t have. Blame Purpura, blame Drayton, Blame Wade (Tejada). But the Astros are in a situation that doesn’t warrant the ability to trade for a productive major league 3B. I don’t see how 3rd base is all of sudden a hole with the loss of Boone. The plan was for Blum/Boone. That doesn’t exactly set the world on fire so whats with the panic now? CJ is hitting .231 in ST but thats better than Matsui, Bourn, Lee, Blum, Quintero, Newhan, Michaels and Towles. Let CJ start at 3rd and take his lumps. If he sucks, he sucks. Let him play through it, don’t send him down and bring him up a la 2008 Towles… and play Blum a few days a week. Hes already 24…no sense in wasting time.

That is by no means an easy question to answer. When Hunter Pence blew ST away a few years ago, management said ‘he needs more seasoning at AAA’, and they sent him down.

When JR Towles virtually skipped AAA and had a Cinderella September call-up experience, management made the exact opposite call.

Was management right to hold Pence back? In hindsight, probably not. Was management right to anoint JR Towles as the second coming of Johnny Bench and declare him the starting catcher in 2008? In hindsight, definitely not.

What about Chris Johnson? In light of his recent Spring stats [strike-outs are up and BA and OBP are way down now that the pitching is getting tougher], it sure looks like a good case could be made for ‘more seasoning’ at AAA. But let’s give the guys who have to make these tough decisions a little grace, shall we? As we discovered with Hunter and JR, the decision on when it is time to ‘pull the trigger’ is a whole lot tougher than it looks.

All I know for sure at this point is that whatever decision is made somebody in our little blogosphere will quickly sit in their comfortable arm chair and call it “mismanagement”. C’est la vie, baby!

Does anyone know who the call came from for a trade? I think that is the question. I should asume that it is not going to be anyone really good, considering that the farm system is still on the lower level. I’m just curious who the player was that was trying to be trade to the Astros.

I am one (the only one I think) who is happy with the way Ed Wade has handled the team. However, the third base position has been completely mis-handled. Huff, Lamb, and Wiggington all were inexplicitly dismissed by the Astros and all (particullarly Wiggington) would fit nicely in the line up.

It is hard to know how much this has to to do with the chief bottle washer. I suspect a lot, as this spans more than one GM. We’ve had our share of decent 3B’s and simply kicked them out the door. And, here we are in need of another.

I’d like to see CJ get at least half of a season at AAA before bringing him up. It’s not like he’s batting .600. I think Wade should wait and maybe send Backe or Paulino to a team with several 3Bs. The Angels, Royals, and Phillies all come to mind.

Probably unpopular, but I’d like to see which players don’t make their major league clubs and are available in a couple weeks. I’d rather bring in someone to keep the seat warm and let Johnson get some at-bats in Round Rock until May or June than be sending him down in that timeframe instead.

Regarding Chris Burke, his production at New Orleans and Round Rock justified a shot in the big leagues. The problem is the Astros drafted him to play shortstop and he proved the other teams that felt he was not cut out for that position right early in his minor league career. Johnson has not distinguished himself as major league ready with the glove at 3B. We can’t move him to LF like the Brewers did with Braun…so you have to be patient and see what the minor league instructors can do.

Agree that if Johnson is with HOU he should be the starter and not be missing AB’s platooning with Boone (since the majority of the pitchers are RH). I think there is still time for him to make the decision easier – either way.

If Coop and Wade really want a platoon, with Blum as the everyday 3B, there is another internal option – Newhan – who hits LH is not that option since his arm from 3B is less than acceptable! Saccomanno can be the platoon option at 3B and can play 1B to give Puma a day off every now and then (as can Smith – who I think gets the nod over Newhan anyway) and he can be a RH hitter off the bench – he’s past 28 so he’s not really a prospect but having him in HOU instead of RR means no issue with Johnson playing everyday for the Express. He would cost $400,000 for the season and signed a minor league deal (which means he can go back down to RR if/when Johnson comes up).

If Johnson picks up the rest of the way this Spring, then he can be the everyday 3B with the big club with Blum as the super sub and switch hitting bat off the bench. Keep in mind that at some point (maybe from the jump), Johnson is going to struggle and he will K a lot whether he’s hitting or not – that just comes with CJ for now (maybe forever).

Making a trade – especially if it gives up pitching of any kind other than a relief pitcher making more than $3 million per season (there is only one – Hawkins) does NOT make sense. I am not advocating trading Hawkins either, just that if you are going to get someone decent for 3B or someone else’s salary dump, that is what it is going to take (Beltre from SEA would be a salary dump – results would be totally unpredictable though and he costs a lot and SEA needs relief pitching – this is an example ONLY!!). Would be interesting if B Hall is available from MIL – and they really need relief pitching – but that’s within the division and therefore, not recommended! But – any trade is not really necessary.

Personally, I think that Johnson should start at AAA. I’ve thought he was a better short-term option than the previous platoon, but that’s not saying much. He’s never going to be a high OBP hitter, but he’s not getting hits right now, either. If he can start hitting again as OD approaches, that might make the decision a little harder. But, long-term, he’s better off getting additional seasoning at AAA.

The problem, if Johnson goes to RR, is who is the short-term solution at 3B? I don’t like the idea of Blum being the starter or as part of a platoon with an even lesser player than Boone was. We could rummage the scrap heaps after ST, but will the options be much better than what we could already piece together?

Depending on who’s available, the best option might be a trade for a guy who’s good enough to start, but not for their current team. A guy like Mark Teahen could be an option. We don’t need to spend much, but we do need to find someone who’s MLB ready.

Give Mark Saccomanno a chance at third until Johnson can get a little more time in at Round Rock. Then bring Johnson up if he is doing well. I’d also look at Towles and/or Lou Palmisano at catcher. I mean it’s not like we are going to doing anything this year (I hope by saying that, it will prove me wrong). Might as well develop for the future.

What do you consider to be some options out there with other teams? The Orioles do have Huff, Wiggy, and Mora, is there any consideration to making a trade with Baltimore? I’m all for CJ to make that jump to the big leagues, but if he gets off to a slow start – it could be demoralizing to his confidence. We can’t afford lose another prospect the way Towles season started last season.

[Ryan, I don't know if there are any good options out there. Most teams are settling in; even the Yankees may be looking for an option to get them through while ARod heals. And, the other factor is what it might cost to pick up a player at this point. As Bill Holmes suggested, our best shot may be in house: Newhan, Blum, et al.]

Call me a homer but I see some positives in the farm system with these kids…but theyre still kids in the sense that they need more seasoning…and thats down on the farm. With the torrid capsule of time that Towles had at the end of a couple seasons ago, he was his own worst enemy. I’d hate to see the same for Johnson. I say send him to AAA for at least a half year or more depending on the Astros season. We have enough stop gaps for short and third to keep grooming him for awhile more.

I’d like to see how Johnson pans out, but I don’t see us grabbing another viable vet from the ranks of the unemployed. The difference – or potential difference – between I-Rod and our exisiting catchers looked huge. The difference between Boone and Johnson – not so much.

I would much rather see Blum as super-sub than our regular 3B, and if Johnson does break with the club, it *has* to be as the starter. Sitting on pine and being a PH won’t help him nor the club, the same way it would not benefit us to put Towles in that role.

But to answer the Chip Question…I also don’t want us to sign another “Boone-like” guy to platoon at third base. If no Johnson, let Newhan or a similar in-house guy share the load with Blum, someone who (1) has already shown some moxie and (2) isn’t a projected future starter whose progress will be retarded.

I’m really hoping that Johnson, Sutton, Bogu and Towles are productive Astros ASAP, even 2009. If that means a month or two of everyday play in AAA, so be it. If that means everyday play in Houston (well, Towles excepted) I’m OK too. But realistically none of the four is a seasoned high-minors guy; even Towles has under 200 at bats…maybe another half season isn’t the worst idea?

I still don’t think CJ has a good chance at making the club. I don’t think any of the younger ones on the field had a real chance in spite of what the Astros were saying. The only ones who had a chance were the young catchers and pitchers and they didn’t pull it off. Even when the Cooper speaks about the backup infielder position, he rarely ever speaks about Maysonett…With 3b I think they’ll pick up someone at the end of camp that another team lets go…